Page 39 of Pray for the Damned

I bite down on my bottom lip and step forward until my stomach presses against the bar. Emmett has never given me any indication that his interest in me isn’t genuine and has gone out of his way more than once to spend time with me or to ensure my safety without asking for anything in return.

I mean, there was his warning in the bathroom last week that still runs through my mind at least a few times a day, but I can’t say he scared me with it.

“This is happening, Waverly. One way or another, we’re going to be together. You just have to decide how you want that to look.”

I flick my eyes up to meet his once more before I reach for the box, and he rewards me with a blinding smile.

Swallowing heavily, I lift the lid on the box and quickly shut it again, my eyes wide as panic slams into me. “No.” I push it back toward him. “No way, that’s way too much!”

He chuckles and nudges the box back toward me. “It will make me feel a lot better if you have a phone, Waverly. It’s unsafe in a city like this not to have a way to contact people. Plus, this way you can message me. See, it’s a selfish gift.”

Except there’s nothing selfish about the brand-new iPhone sitting nestled inside the gift box. “I can’t take something like that, Emmett. We’ve only known each other for a week. It’s way too much.”

He sighs and rounds the bar without missing a beat. He prowls toward me, and I’m too stunned to back away until it’s too late, his arms falling on either side of me and trapping me between him and the bar. “Listen to me closely, Waverly, because I don’t intend to repeat myself regarding this. I understand allowing other people to take care of you is foreign. I understand that gifts may not have been a frequent part of yourlife leading up to this point, but I want to spoil you. I want to give you the world, I just need you to let me.”

I swallow heavily around the emotion bubbling just beneath the surface. I’ve never given much thought to someone spoiling me before, and as much as I hate the idea, I also crave it. Not in a material way. No, I want someone to spoil me with their attention, their affection, their time.

But Emmett’s right, for that to happen, I have to let it. I can’t push him away at every opportunity, even if that’s what comes naturally to me.

“Will you please take the phone? I’ll feel much better knowing you can call me if you get into trouble or just need someone to talk to.” There’s a dangerous edge to his voice that feels different from his usual easy-going calm, but I don’t hate it. If anything, it sends a thrill through my body and straight to my core.

How did I go from practically no interest in sex to now constantly craving this man and all the things he can show me?

I nod slowly. “Okay. Thank you,” I whisper, not trusting my voice not to crack under the pressure weighing down on my chest.

“Good girl,” he murmurs, dropping his head until his lips are a breath from mine. His minty breath whispers across my cheeks, and I just about choke on how badly I want him to kiss me. But I can’t make the first move…can I?

Before I can think better of it, I lean forward and brush my lips over his in a gentle caress that leaves me desperate for more. But I’m at my job, and making out with a patron behind the bar is more than likely a fireable offense, even for an establishment like the Scarlet Lounge.

“What time do you get off tonight?” he asks, his body still holding mine hostage against the bar.

“Ten,” I whisper.

“Let’s play tonight.”

“Play?” I raise a brow.

“I’ll book us a room.” The smile that tugs at the corners of his lips is dangerous, but I find myself nodding before I can think better of it or can convince myself of all the reasons this is a terrible idea.

Because it is.

There’s no scenario where this doesn’t blow up in my face.

But right now, I can’t find it in myself to care. Not when my body craves what this man can do to me so desperately.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

EMMETT

Nervous anticipation thrums through my veins as I swirl the amber liquor around my glass.

I haven’t been able to take my eyes off Waverly since she agreed to play with me tonight, and the permanent flush across her cheeks has my cock harder than it’s ever been.

Pushing her the way I did hadn’t been on the cards tonight, but I need her to trust me. I need her to lean on me. I need her to depend on me. That’s the only way she’ll ever truly be safe, and I won’t allow her to be anything other than just that. Not now that I’ve tasted her.

When I lived in the shadows of her life, it was easy to keep my distance. But now that she’s allowed me into her orbit, she’ll never be free of me. Not truly.

I booked a private room for tonight, but all I can think about is how pretty she’d look on stage, bound and gagged, taking everything I give her while everyone watches. The idea enrages me as much as it does arouse me, the conflicting emotions taking my breath away. But I think she’d like it.

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